A recent report has stressed that American officials needs to start an AIDS-like public awareness campaign in order to effectively try and dispel the stigma of hepatitis B and C.

Put forward by the Institute of Medicine, the report stressed that chronic hepatitis B and C end up causing over a thousand cases of liver cancer every year, in addition to other liver diseases and deaths, and these conditions take the heaviest toll among Asians, Pacific Islanders and African-Americans in the United States.

Also, these two infections are collectively responsible for over 50% liver transplants performed each year.

"Although hepatitis B and C are preventable, the rates of infection have not declined over the past several years, underscoring the conclusion that we have allowed gaps in screening, prevention and treatment to go unchecked. This report outlines the additional resources and actions needed to reduce the unacceptably high burden of liver disease and cancer associated with these viruses", said Committee Chairman R. Palmer Beasley.

The Institute of Medicine is a body of experts that is committed to providing independent, objective, evidence-based advice policy makers and healthcare professionals, among others.